EMC1 upgraded versus MKII

I own the EMC without the upgrade and my friend has one with the upgrade. I bypassed the add on upgrade after hearing the Kora Hermes DAC (tube) - I bought the Kora and use the EMC as a transport - The Kora has the 24/192 and just presents a better soundstage and naturalness to the music that I do not hear with just the EMC or the upgraded EMC. As a transport the EMC is great.

To Ljgj: That's an interesting alternative. I haven't heard the Kora Hermes. Did you have a chance to try any other 24/192 DAC's that feature tubes, e.g. Audio Aero? How is the bass with the Hermes? (Some tube CDP's seem to provide too much warmth in the mid-bass.). Thanks.

No, I did not get to try the Audio Aero - after I heard one of our audio club's member's Kora I was sold. I find no bass bloat or excess warmth in any region. It has a really nice balance. I really wasn't even thinking about changing or upgrading until I heard the Kora.

Ljgj If you are still following this post could you further explain the Kora sound. My heart was set on getting a used EMC1(and maybe not upgrade for someone said that the 192 bit upgrade tends to make the music less smooth he prefers the 96 ???) I think you reside in Lafayette LA. not far from New Orleans. I'm curious if you are part of a local audio club? Would love to hear your Kora. Did you ever sell your ML's. I see you are a very active buyer and seller. So you just use your EMC1 as a transport!! So with the Kora DAC you need a good transport correct?

I do a lot of recording and the EMC 1 has a solid build and toploading which makes for quicker changes with less moving parts. It is a similar mechanism to the Krell 30i transport part (same actually and I have one of those too and was looking for something similar but more modern tech). My friend bought an EMC 1 after hearing and seeing mine and also upgraded it later which he described as a royal pain. I am sorry but I tried to hear a difference but I really do not. I wanted a tube Dac and went with Kora after researching it and the fact it was really affordable comparatively speaking to my next favorite the Dodson which is SS. It has a really natural and dare I say analog - like sound . It does not tire me out when listening for long periods . I am in the process of upgrading tubes simply to see what I get out of doing that but I am really very content now but you know how this hobby is - always looking for something. What happened to the speaker thing you have been exploring? We do not have a real official club but we make like we do. I have moved my ML Odysseys to another area of the house but will sell if things are right. I have the VMPS RM 40 arriving next week.